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Polikwaptiwa, female human Sor9: CR 9; Size M (5'0“); HD 9d4+18; hp 38; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10; Attack +2 melee, or +4 ranged; SV Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +7; AL CG; Str 7, Dex 11, Con 14, Int 17, Wis 9, Cha 16.
Concentration +12, Craft (Painting) +15, Craft (Stonemasonry) +15, Diplomacy +8, Gather Information +7, Hide +0, Knowledge (Arcana) +13, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +7.5, Knowledge (Geography) +5, Knowledge (Nature) +4, Knowledge (The Planes) +4, Listen -1, Move Silently +0, Perform (Keyboard Instruments) +4, Spot -1; Craft Wondrous Item, Iron Will, Scribe Scroll, Skill Focus (Concentration), Skill Focus (Craft (Stonemasonry)).
Sorcerer Spells Known (6/7/7/7/4): 0th: Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Flare, Mending, Prestidigitation, Read Magic, Resistance. 1st: Burning Hands, Charm Person, Chill Touch, Magic Missile, Unseen Servant. 2nd: Bear's Endurance, Spider Climb, Touch of Idiocy, Web. 3rd: Haste, Invisibility Sphere, Vampiric Touch. 4th: Arcane Eye, Shadow Conjuration.
Polikwaptiwa is an artist - and her shop is filled with surreal paintings of a variety of subject matters. If the party is invited in, one painting will stand out (Lashmere may be the first to notice it). It is of a giant tower piercing through a low cloud layer. The painting is so unusual that it appears to bend and move if one stares at it too long. Also, as the base of the tower cannot be seen and the style of the painting is surreal, there is no real sense of scale. She has no other information about the tower - just that she was inspired recently to draw it. As far as she knows, it is a fictional place.
She also uses her painting to imbue magical properties to items. This is done with her Craft Wondrous Item feat. Combined with her Shadow Conjuration spell, she has devised an ingenious way of restoring items that have lost their magic since shadow took over.
Note also her knowledge of geography! She can provide a wealth of useful information to the party - and with Roderick's Sending spell, she could be a resource in the future, as well.
Roget,
There is a pattern to the chaos of the weather.
Some moments you can see it. But just a glimpse. Just a hint.
Most of the time, though, your senses strain and you see nothing.
The swirling breeze from the east soothes you. The steady, light rain is warm. But over your left shoulder, you feel a presence. You try to ignore it, but every few minutes, your curiosity forces your gaze.
All you see is the river from the north emptying into the Etenai, diluting Her power. Beyond that, the mist obscures what lies beyond. But you are beginning to see it. You do not know if it is your imagination playing tricks on you - but the tower in Baka is feeling more and more real to you. It is black and immense and sits on a small, foggy island. Some times, you can even hear the beasts in the water splash and bark - much like the seals back home.
But every time the picture begins to clear, you are jarred alert - as if you were dozing off and have been startled awake.
The hours slip by. The sound of the river and rain combine in your mind and you find that you can put yourself into a trance. Inevitably, though, someone comes by or a bird flies too close and you are snapped back to reality. Once out, it is hard to get back in - but you do. Time and time again.
You lose track of the hours, but you know that the sun has set and risen again, even though it is obscured by Her clouds.
And then the rain stops.
Not slowly, but in a second - as if the clouds were spent and the force that commanded them has vanished.
Your heart races. What does this mean? Is she gone? Is she here?
Footsteps on the dock behind you force you back once again - where you are surprised to realize that it is quite cold. And, that flawless indicator of her presence - your erection - is nowhere to be seen.
“Hello”
A little girl's voice from behind startles you. You had heard her approaching, but hadn't thought to turn. The stopped rain had disoriented you. Briefly, you fear what would have happened if it were an enemy. Would She have let you die while you were in a trance? Is She even here to protect you anymore?
“I am sorry I am late, my love,” the little girl continues. “I had to wait to make sure Chaos was not focusing on this city.”
You turn to her, not quite sure what to expect. The voice is wrong. The body is wrong. But the words are right.
She stands next to you - barely three feet tall. She looks to be no more than ten or twelve years old, but she wears a light white robe, which clings to lovely golden skin. Her hair is straight and black, and a black leather belt adorned with a silver rain cloud wraps around her waist. Her breasts are gone. Her hips are those of a child. Your emotions swing wildly from elation to shock to embarrassment.
“This is the end of my journey with you,” she says. “My powers here are nearly gone and I can not protect you on the road to Songan. But as long as you stay here in Shiriki, I can. The king here is a fool - like most in this valley - and he will try to drive you out if he knows the risk you pose to his city. But he and his men are cowards. They will not make a move against you unless you provoke them. You may rest here before proceeding.”
She turns her gaze to the river. You follow it, but see nothing unusual. “Chaos knows you are coming, but we have thwarted their plans for this valley. I believe they will take time to regroup for another attempt. By then, you will be on them - and we can finish this game once and for all.”
You turn back to her. There is a determination in her face that amuses you. You realize that she is older than she looks, but she reminds you of a niece back home - pouting because she didn't get what she wanted.
Beyond that, though, you recognize in her face the woman she will become. But even as you think that, you realize how absurd it is. She is not mortal. She will not age into a woman. She is a woman. Just not now. Not here.
“We have already lost Baka,” she continues, “but such is the price of war.”
She turns back to meet your gaze. Her eyes are even more familiar than the rest of her face. Gradually, you realize your erection has returned - which triggers a strange emotion. Your body tells you it is wrong - very wrong. But your mind knows better.
She steps closer and kisses you gently on the lips. “Perhaps…” she starts to say, but stops, as if rethinking a thought. She reaches to your forehead and brushes aside a wet clump of hair with her warm fingers.
“No. I cannot promise what the future brings. I can only hope. We will meet again. I know it in my heart.” She kisses you again and you see a deep sadness in her eyes. But then, before you can even ask a question, she leaps off the pier and into the river.
She swims under the surface for several yards before fading from your sight. A long minute goes by. The anticipation in your soul tightens and turns to fear. Is that it? Is she gone for good?
But then, she surfaces halfway across the river. Briefly, her torso breaks the surface and you can see that she is no longer a child. Even though she is too far to see details, you remember the shape of her breasts and you see (imagine?) the wicked, playful smile on her lips. She waves a kiss back to you on the dock, then dips back under the surface and disappears.
You wait for her to resurface, but instead the rain restarts.
And it is warm and wonderful.